Pros
- Good FIRST industry exposure for those with basic web development skills
- Straightforward, entry-level tasks suitable for beginners
- Pantry has snacks
Cons
1. Management style was particularly concerning - transitioning from initially minimal oversight to attempted micromanagement, including implementation of redundant weekly Excel reporting of day-to-day (despite existing JIRA system) and facial recognition check-ins.
2. During a meeting with the CEO, we were advised against "asking for too much," with comparisons made to Vietnam's lower-cost labor markets. This mentality, combined with the intern supervisor's approach (who ironically claimed to value interns "as professionals, not cheap labor" while denying basic benefits like Eat With Your Family Day), tells me all I need to know about how the company views us.
3. The office environment deserves special mention - it serves as a research lab for a university comfort study, resulting in strictly monitored and gradually reduced air conditioning usage (as little as 40 minutes per day). This crucial detail isn't disclosed during interviews.
4. Company policy states 5 days work-from-office (WFO) as standard, with work-from-home (WFH) available by request. However, there's clear disapproval of WFH requests, despite formal policy allowing it, suggesting a disconnect between stated and actual workplace flexibility.
Consider this internship if you fall into either category:
1. You're looking for your very first industry experience and are okay with basic tasks
2. You're nostalgic for NS days and want to relive being a NSF